Research librarian vs collection management librarian

The differences between research librarians and collection management librarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a research librarian and a collection management librarian. Additionally, a collection management librarian has an average salary of $56,311, which is higher than the $51,263 average annual salary of a research librarian.

The top three skills for a research librarian include research support, library services and collection development. The most important skills for a collection management librarian are collection management, library services, and collection development.

Research librarian vs collection management librarian overview

	Research Librarian	Collection Management Librarian
Yearly salary	$51,263	$56,311
Hourly rate	$24.65	$27.07
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	45,828	63,441
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

What does a research librarian do?

The primary duty of a research librarian is to assist scholars, students, and other researchers in finding books and other study materials. Research librarians handle integrated library systems such as serials control, acquisitions, and cataloging. They create and maintain the library's intranet portal using Microsoft SharePoint. Part of their job is to instruct and assist staff on the proper usage of intranet catalogs and other research databases. They establish a partnership with the other librarians to design and provide information and library literacy instruction to the student body.

What does a collection management librarian do?

As a collection management librarian, one must perform the tasks associated with library services, especially in collection management. Collection management librarians monitor, analyze, and report collection management data. The librarians establish and maintain the collection management plan of the team for the rear area and conceptualize and deliver outreach opportunities with the community and city organizations promoting library services, programs, and resources. They are also skilled in electronic resources, collection development, and insurance companies.

Research librarian vs collection management librarian salary

Research librarians and collection management librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Research Librarian	Collection Management Librarian
Average salary	$51,263	$56,311
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $74,000	Between $40,000 And $79,000
Highest paying City	Philadelphia, PA	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Harvard University	-
Best paying industry	Professional	-

Differences between research librarian and collection management librarian education

There are a few differences between a research librarian and a collection management librarian in terms of educational background:

	Research Librarian	Collection Management Librarian
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Library Science	Business
Most common college	New York University	Stanford University

Research librarian vs collection management librarian demographics

Here are the differences between research librarians' and collection management librarians' demographics:

	Research Librarian	Collection Management Librarian
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 35.7% Female, 64.3%	Male, 37.1% Female, 62.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 76.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between research librarian and collection management librarian duties and responsibilities

Research librarian example responsibilities.

Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
Order materials and perform literature searches using OCLC.
Utilize Microsoft SharePoint to create and maintain the library intranet portal.
Advise clients using factual data in the Lexis Nexis computer system.
Train staff for ILS use.
Provide web content via LibGuides.

Collection management librarian example responsibilities.

Prepare appeals and refunds for incorrect paid claims, resolve patient account disputes, manage AR and aging reports
Open and close accounts (checking, savings, IRA), managing all death and disability claims and ACH transactions.
Manage document delivery via Docline and consortia memberships.
Provide reference and instruction for undergraduate, HTML & CSS graduate, and online courses.
Process and post payroll for all area hospitals.
Implement MVC architecture for presentation and business layers.

Research librarian vs collection management librarian skills

Common research librarian skills

Research Support, 13%
Library Services, 9%
Collection Development, 8%
Research Services, 6%
Library Resources, 6%
Research Projects, 6%

Common collection management librarian skills

Collection Management, 16%
Library Services, 11%
Collection Development, 10%
Electronic Resources, 9%
Library Materials, 8%
Patient Accounts, 6%

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Research Librarian vs Collection Management Librarian

Updated January 8, 2025

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